Operating switch for a motor vehicle with a movable protective device

ABSTRACT

An operating switch ( 2 ) for a motor vehicle is provided with a housing ( 1 ) and a protective device movable relative to an operating element ( 7 ) for temporarily covering the operating element ( 7 ) on the operating side The housing ( 1 ) has an operating-side operating opening ( 3 ) for the operating element ( 7 ). The protective device is formed as a slide member ( 5 ) guided in the housing ( 1 ), displaceable at right angles to the access direction, and closing the operating opening.  
     This considerably impedes accidental actuation of the operating switch ( 2 ).

[0001] This invention relates to an operating switch for a motor vehicle with a housing and a protective device movable relative to an operating element of the operating switch for temporarily covering the operating element on the operating side.

[0002] Such a switch is known e.g. from U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,552 A according to which an operating switch is protected from accidental actuation by a flip cover. Such a flip cover protruding from a control panel is unsuitable for a motor vehicle if only for aesthetic reasons but also because of the risk of injury for the passengers.

[0003] At present it is usual to provide automobiles with an electronic immobilizer which can be released by an electronic key working on the transponder principle. This makes it possible to reduce the mechanical security effort for the starter switch, which can now be formed e.g. as a separate, readily accessible pushbutton switch.

[0004] The invention is based on the problem of impeding accidental actuation of such a switch and reducing the risk of injury while heeding aesthetic aspects.

[0005] This problem is solved by the features stated in the characterizing part of claim 1. The slide member can now be displaced just under the operating opening and fully integrated into the switch housing. The latter can be provided with a stable bearing and/or guidance for the slide member, thereby protecting the parts from damage or destruction by force. The slide member can be fixed in the two end positions more easily than a flip member.

[0006] Advantageous developments of the invention result from the features characterized in claims 2 to 10.

[0007] The electric drive according to claims 2 and 3 makes it possible to close the operating opening tightly until the key is coupled. The slide can then be controlled in dependence on the working condition of the engine in order to prevent actuation of the starter button with the engine running.

[0008] The slide member according to claim 4 closes the operating opening in the manner of a movable screen. The operating button of the switch therebelow is movable only in the press-in direction.

[0009] The curved slide according to claims 5 and 6 constitutes a rotary valve which requires little room for movement and permits an accordingly narrow construction of the switch.

[0010] In the operating switch according to claims 7 to 9 the switch unit is an integral part of the slide member with the accordingly integrally formed wall members. In particular in the development according to claim 8 it is possible to make the operating element pass slightly out of the switch housing in the open position, thereby improving accessibility.

[0011] The development according to claim 10 makes it possible to wire further circuits in addition to the main circuit of the operating switch in expedient dependence on the slide position.

[0012] An example of the invention is shown in the drawing and will be explained in more detail in the following.

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a perspective, operating-side view of an operating switch with a slide member in a closed position,

[0014]FIG. 2 shows the operating switch according to FIG. 1 in a partially open position of the slide member,

[0015]FIG. 3 shows the operating switch according to FIG. 1 in an open position of the slide member,

[0016]FIG. 4 shows a section through the operating switch according to FIG. 1,

[0017]FIG. 5 shows a section through the operating switch according to FIG. 3.

[0018] According to FIG. 1, housing 1 of operating switch 2 is provided with front-side operating opening 3 which is closed here by wall segment 4 of slide member 5 pivotally mounted in housing 1 and provided with rib-like outwardly protruding elevation 6 for manual actuation of slide member 5. Elevation 6 furthermore forms an end stop for the motion of slide member 5 on lateral wall members 9 of housing 1 limiting the operating opening.

[0019] According to FIG. 2, slide member 5 is rotated approximately half the length of operating opening 3, whereby button-like operating element 7 of switch unit a integrated in slide member 5 (FIG. 4) has passed from a covered position under lateral wall members 9 of housing 1 partly into the area of operating opening 3, and wall segment 4 has swiveled under opposite lateral wall members 9.

[0020] According to FIG. 3, slide member 5 has been swiveled further with operating element 7 into its end position in which the operating element is completely in the area of the operating opening and fully accessible for manual actuation.

[0021]FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of the operating switch in the position of slide member 5 according to FIG. 1. The latter forms an approximately semicircular segment which swivels around rotation axis 10 of housing 1. In said segment switch unit 8 is integrated with outwardly pointing operating element 7, which is completely covered here by wall members 9 of housing 1 and thus inaccessible for actuation. Operating opening 3 is completely closed by wall segment 4 of slide member 5.

[0022] According to FIG. 4, slide member 5 has swiveled into the end position shown in FIG. 3 in which operating element 7 protrudes slightly out of operating opening 3 and is thus fully accessible. Pressing pushbutton-like operating element 7 actuates a contact of the switch unit, thereby switching on e.g. a starter for the engine of the motor vehicle. Reference signs 1 Housing 2 Operating switch 3 Operating opening 4 Wall segment 5 Slide member 6 Elevation 7 Operating element 8 Switch unit 9 Wall member 10 Rotation axis 

1. An operating switch (2) for a motor vehicle with a housing (1) and a protective device movable relative to an operating element (7) of the operating switch (2) for temporarily covering the operating element (7) on the operating side, characterized in that the housing (1) has an operating-side operating opening (3) for the operating element (7) and the protective device is formed as a slide member (5) guided in the housing (1) and displaceable at right angles to the access direction for closing the operating opening.
 2. An operating switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the motion of the slide member (5) can be effected or blocked by an electric drive.
 3. An operating switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive is controllable by means of an identification key.
 4. An operating switch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the slide member is formed as a wall-like slide for closing the operating opening.
 5. An operating switch according to claim 4, characterized in that the slide is curved in the sliding direction and guided in an accordingly curved slideway of the housing.
 6. An operating switch according to claim 5, characterized in that the slide is guided so as to be largely sinkable in the housing.
 7. An operating switch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the operating element (7) is part of a switch unit (8) mounted movably in the housing (1) and forming the slide member (5), and is displaceable out of the area of the operating opening (3) behind stationary wall members (9) of the housing (1).
 8. An operating switch according to claim 7, characterized in that the switch unit (8) is pivotally mounted in the housing (1), and a swivel axis (10) of the switch unit (8) is disposed on a side of the switch unit (8) facing away from the operating opening (3).
 9. An operating switch according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the switch unit (8) has a wall segment (4) for closing the operating opening (3) in the sunk position of the operating element (7).
 10. An operating switch according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the operating switch (2) is equipped with additional electric switching elements which are actuated by the motion of the particular displaceable part. 